and there are conflicting reports that his most powerful ally, russia, may be preparing for his defeat. rebels are gaining ground outside the capital and have defied every effort to defeat them. >>> there's some confusion over where former south african president nelson mandela is being treated. government officials there say they are protecting his privacy not confirming which hospital is treating him. >> the 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon was admitted on saturday for what has since been diagnosed as a lung infection. >>> in other news right now, president obama will have to go to plan "b," to find a new secretary of state. >> in a surprise move, u.n. ambassador susan rice withdrew her name from consideration, saying the country would not benefit from a bitter, costly confirmation process. >> several republicans made it clear they did not want rice to be the nation's top diplomat. and abc's tahman bradley joins us, now live, from washington with more on this surprise move. hi, tahman. >> reporter: hello. good morning to you, rob and paula. the president's announcement of his new nati